Published 10:00 pm, Monday, September 10, 2001

Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard sounds a bit like Neil Young on the title song of his new album, "Bayleaf."

The guitarist's sparse, slightly nasal vocals are featured on seven of the album's 10 songs, marking his official debut as a lead singer. Gossard's only previous turn as lead vocalist came in 1996, when Pearl Jam recorded the album "No Code" and he was featured on "Mankind."

But Gossard's label picked the song "Unhand Me," featuring lead vocals by Ty Wilman of Green Apple Quick Step, as the first single from "Bayleaf," due in stores today from Epic Records.

Gossard, 35, chuckled when asked if his feelings were hurt by Epic's decision.

"It's perfect. I think it's the right song," Gossard said in a recent interview.

"It's got a hook that's pretty strong, and Ty sings the hell out of it. I told Epic from the get-go they could pick any song they wanted. As far as radio goes, I don't have any clue as to what would fly."

"Unhand Me" deals with a struggle between ego and spirit.

"If you listen to the lyrics, that song speaks for itself. It's about letting go. It seems strangely ironic that that's the song they picked," Gossard said. "I don't really have anything to be upset about because I wrote it and I love it and I love the way Ty sings it."

Wilman, who sings on three "Bayleaf" songs, gave Gossard a lot of encouragement throughout the writing and recording project.

"He was hugely instrumental in just saying, 'Yeah, you can do this. Let's keep going,'" Gossard said.

In terms of side bands and outside projects, Gossard has been among the most active members of Pearl Jam, which has sold more than 40 million albums since its first album, "Ten," was released 10 years ago.

Gossard is a member of Seattle band Brad, which played three shows Labor Day weekend at the Breakroom, as well as a former member of local groups March of Crimes, Green River, Mother Love Bone and an early version of Pearl Jam called Mookie Blaylock.

"Bayleaf" is the first solo album by a member of Pearl Jam. But it's really more a group effort. In addition to Wilman, a veteran of the Ride Me Babies before it evolved into Green Apple Quick Step, Gossard's collaborators include Seattle rock musicians Ron Weinstein (piano), Guy Davis (bass) and Mike Stone and Matt Chamberlin (drums). Producer was Pete Droge, a former Gossard bandmate from March of Crimes.

"I've been kind of demoing and writing songs over the last four or five years," Gossard said. "I kind of had an old pile of songs, some of which I thought were pretty good and I didn't know what they would be used for or how they might evolve.

"Then about 2 1/2 years ago, Ty invited me over to his house to just do some playing and I had this song I'd kind of been kicking around and singing and I thought, 'Well, hell, I'll take this song over and we'll kind of record it.'"

The visit turned into a jam session involving musicians from several bands.

"We just laid down this song and Ty said, 'Wow, you sang pretty good.' And I said, 'Maybe we should do this again.' So we just kept meeting and recording."

After six or seven songs were recorded, Gossard recruited Droge to help make sense of it all.

"I wanted Pete to kind of see if there was a through-line that made sense to him," Gossard said. "He's such a great player. He played slide guitar, sang background vocals and taught me about vocal harmony."

"Bayleaf" includes such songs as "Anchors," a somber tune featuring Weinstein on piano and Hammond C-3 organ; and the hook-laden "Hellbent," featuring Zac Baird and Mike Dillon of Critters Buggin'. Droge plays 12-string guitar on "Bore Me" and "Unhand Me." Stylistically, the album is a laid-back blend of rock, blues, folk and soul.

Gossard has modest expectations for "Bayleaf."

"I made the record thinking I was just going to put it on my Web site. That's the kind of record it was. I just wanted to make it available and see if I could sell records through the Web site in a low-key way," he said.

But since Gossard was contractually bound to Epic, Pearl Jam's label, he was compelled to offer the album to them first.

"So I played it for them and I said, 'You're not putting this record out unless you really care about it.' And they said, 'We do.' So I said, 'OK, pay me.' And they did. So now it's in their hands."

Gossard has had more control over this album than any previous records he has made. "Bayleaf" has been available since Aug. 20 on his Web site, www.stonegossard.com.

Gossard has no plans to tour in support of his new album. Even though Pearl Jam is on hiatus until next winter, Gossard is busy with Brad, led by Shawn Smith.

"My feeling right now is that I'm not ready to tour," Gossard said. "I know what it takes based on watching some great singers in my time -- and it's hard.

Besides, that's not the reason he made the album.

"I made the record because I like to write songs and I like to record. I can imagine doing a show at some point, but I need to do it at the right time. I need to do it when I want to do it."